BIRMINGHAM, England, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli supporters demonstrated outside the politically-charged Europa League soccer match between Aston Villa and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday and police made 11 arrests, but the game was played without major disruptions.
The match, which the hosts won 2-0, at Villa Park, Birmingham was held under a massive security operation.
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Eleven people, all male, were arrested according to West Midlands Police, the majority for racially aggravated public offences.
Other arrests included a 21-year-old for trying to throw fireworks into the ground. Another was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, in addition to a 21-year-old for failing to comply with an order to remove a face mask and a 17-year-old for failing to comply with a dispersal order.
Despite fears of violent clashes after the match was classified as